Little Island's reimagining of Lee Breuer and Bob Telson’s The Gospel at Colonus is officially open at The Amph, and the reviews are in. See what critics are saying below. Performances continue through July 26.
Directed by Shayok Misha Chowdhury, the cast is led by American opera singer Davóne Tines and American gospel singer and songwriter Kim Burrell with R&B singer serpentwithfeet, Stephanie Berry, Kevin Bond, Little Charles, Samantha Howard, Ayana George Jackson, Brandon Michael Nase, Jon-Michael Reese, and Frank Senior.
Members from James Hall’s Worship & Praise, based in Flatbush, collectively represent the traditional Greek chorus, including Jaqwanna Crawford, Schanel Crawford, JacQuetta Fayton, Angie Goshea, Robyn McLeod, TJ Riddick, Vischon Robinson, Lenny VanCooten, Eugene Marcus Walker, and Darlene Nikki Washington.
Co-music directors Dionne McClain-Freeney and James Hall lead the band and choir, alongside original The Gospel at Colonus organist Butch Hayward, and musicians Bobby Bryan, Jackie Coleman, Clayton Craddock, Isaiah Johnson, Booker King, Taja Graves-Parker, Jason Marshall, and Kelvin Walters.
Read the reviews below.
1-Minute Critic (Matthew Wexler)
New York Stage Review (Michael Sommers)
New York Theater (Jonathan Mandell)
The New York Times (Laura Collins-Hughes)*
*This review may require creating a free account or paid subscription.
Playbill will continue to update this list as reviews come in.
In The Gospel at Colonus, the epic myth of Oedipus, press notes state, is "reborn as a Pentecostal ritual that remakes prophecy as testimony and brokenness as transcendence." The musical features a book, original lyrics, and direction by Breuer, and original music, adapted lyrics, and music direction by Telson.
The production also has associate direction by Sam Morreale, scenic design by David Zinn, costume design by Montana Levi Blanco, lighting design by Stacey Derosier, sound design by Garth MacAleavey, hair and wig design by Cookie Jordan, and Kirk Cambridge-del Peche as makeup consultant.
For tickets visit LittleIsland.org.
